Application to an accredited Doctor of Naturopathy degree program requires a university bachelor’s degree, prerequisite courses, essay, and interview. Once accepted into the post-graduate program, the naturopathic medical curriculum is an intensive four-year, full-time program that includes the study of medical and clinical sciences (anatomy, physiology, pharmacology), diagnostics (differential diagnosis and laboratory diagnosis), and naturopathic principles and therapeutics (botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, counselling, and manipulation).
A one-year clinic internship provides 1500 hours of direct patient contact under the guidance of licensed naturopathic doctors.

On completion of this four-year program, naturopathic medical students must write and pass two sets of rigorous North American standardized board examinations and provincial licensing examinations before they may legally use the title Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine or “N.D.” Licensed doctors in Ontario are required to take continuing education courses to remain in good standing with their regulatory body.